IGCSE BIOLOGY

SECTION 3 LESSON 2
 Content

Section 3
a) Reproduction
Reproduction - Flowering plants
and - Humans
Inheritance
b) Inheritance
 Content

Lesson 2 Humans
3.8 describe the structure and explain
the function of the male and female
a) Reproduction reproductive systems
– Humans 3.9 understand the roles of oestrogen
and progesterone in the menstrual
cycle
3.10 describe the role of the
placenta in the nutrition of the
developing embryo
3.11 understand how the
developing embryo is protected
by amniotic fluid
3.12 understand the roles of
oestrogen and testosterone in the
development of secondary sexual
characteristics
Human gametes (sex
cells)
 Human gametes (sex
cells)
Male sex cell = sperm
 Human gametes (sex
cells)
Male sex cell = sperm
 Human gametes (sex
cells)
Male sex cell = sperm

The chromosomes (genetic

Head information) are tightly packed
together in the nucleus

Tail
 Human gametes (sex
cells)
Male sex cell = sperm

The chromosomes (genetic

Head information) are tightly packed
together in the nucleus

The tail lashes from side to side

and propels the sperm forwards
Tail
 Human gametes (sex
cells)
Male sex cell = sperm

The chromosomes (genetic

Head information) are tightly packed
together in the nucleus

The tail lashes from side to side

and propels the sperm forwards
Tail

A single ejaculate may be about

4cm3 of fluid and may contain
up to 500 million sperms
Human gametes (sex
Female sex cellcells)
= egg
(ovum)

Membrane

Nucleus containing
chromosomes

Cytoplasm

Jelly coat
 Summary of sexual
development
MALE FEMALE
Testes have descended into Ovaries containing immature eggs
AT BIRTH scrotal sac but they do not make present in abdomen but they do
sperms yet not produce eggs yet

12-14
years

PUBERTY

45-50

70-75
 Summary of sexual
development
MALE FEMALE
Testes have descended into Ovaries containing immature eggs
AT BIRTH scrotal sac but they do not make present in abdomen but they do
sperms yet not produce eggs yet
PITUITARY GLAND PITUITARY GLAND
12-14 Gonad-stimulating hormones Gonad-stimulating hormones
years
Testes Ovaries
PUBERTY
Male sex hormones Female sex hormones
(androgens) (oestrogens)

Testes start producing Ovaries start producing eggs.

sperms. Secondary sexual Secondary sexual
characteristics, eg growth of characteristics, eg. growth of
body hair, breaking of voice breasts, fat in thighs

45-50
70-75
 Summary of sexual
development
MALE FEMALE
Testes have descended into Ovaries containing immature eggs
AT BIRTH scrotal sac but they do not make present in abdomen but they do
sperms yet not produce eggs yet
PITUITARY GLAND PITUITARY GLAND
12-14 Gonad-stimulating hormones Gonad-stimulating hormones
years
Testes Ovaries
PUBERTY
Male sex hormones Female sex hormones
(androgens) (oestrogens)

Testes start producing Ovaries start producing eggs.

sperms. Secondary sexual Secondary sexual
characteristics, eg growth of characteristics, eg. growth of
body hair, breaking of voice breasts, fat in thighs

45-50 MENOPAUSE
Ovaries stop producing eggs

70-75
 Summary of sexual
development
MALE FEMALE
Testes have descended into Ovaries containing immature eggs
AT BIRTH scrotal sac but they do not make present in abdomen but they do
sperms yet not produce eggs yet
PITUITARY GLAND PITUITARY GLAND
12-14 Gonad-stimulating hormones Gonad-stimulating hormones
years
Testes Ovaries
PUBERTY
Male sex hormones Female sex hormones
(androgens) (oestrogens)

Testes start producing Ovaries start producing eggs.

sperms. Secondary sexual Secondary sexual
characteristics, eg growth of characteristics, eg. growth of
body hair, breaking of voice breasts, fat in thighs

45-50 MENOPAUSE
Ovaries stop producing eggs

70-75 Testes stop making sperms

Male and female reproductive
systems
Male and female reproductive
systems
Male and female reproductive
systems
Male reproductive system

TESTES (singular
testis). Sperms are
manufactured here.
The testes are
slightly cooler than
the rest of the
body.
Male reproductive system

SCROTAL SAC (or

scrotum). Alters
position to maintain
the optimum
temperature for the
testes.
Male reproductive system

SPERM TUBULES –
where the sperm
are actually made.
Combined length of
over 500 metres!
Male reproductive system

EPIDIDYMIS – coiled
tube where the
sperm are stored
Male reproductive system

URETHRA – tube
which runs down
the centre of the
penis – dual
function, carrying
both urine and
sperms
Male reproductive system

PENIS – male
reproductive organ.
During intercourse
it fills with blood to
become stiff and
erect. Tip of the
penis, the GLANS,
is protected by the
foreskin.
Male reproductive system

SEMINAL VESICLE
and PROSTATE
GLAND – these
glands produce a
fluid which keeps
the sperm alive and
swimming
vigorously. Sperm
+ fluid = semen
Female reproductive system

OVARIES (singular
ovary). Two, on
either side of the
abdomen. Every
28 days or so an
egg is released.
Female reproductive system

OVIDUCTS (also
known as the
Fallopian tubes)
carry the eggs from
the ovaries to the
uterus. Fertilisation
occurs here.
Female reproductive system

UTERUS – if the egg

is fertilised by the
sperm, then it
develops here into
the baby during
which time it is
known as the
womb)
Female reproductive system

CERVIX – the neck

of the uterus.
Becomes dilated
(opens up) just
prior to the birth of
the baby.
Female reproductive system

VAGINA – the birth

canal. Like the
lining of the uterus,
the vagina secretes
a lot of mucus.
Female reproductive system

CLITORIS – the
female equivalent
of the penis, can
become erect
during sexual
intercourse
 Fertilisation

Once inside the

vagina,the sperm
swim up through the
uterus and in to the
oviducts. If an egg is
present in the oviduct
then one sperm will
enter the egg and
fuse with the female
nucleus – this is
known as fertilisation.
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 Fertilisation

Once inside the

vagina,the sperm
swim up through the
uterus and in to the
oviducts. If an egg is
present in the oviduct
then one sperm will
enter the egg and
fuse with the female
nucleus – this is
known as fertilisation.
www.patient.co.uk
Fertilisation

Once inside the

vagina,the sperm
swim up through the
uterus and in to the
oviducts. If an egg is
present in the oviduct
then one sperm will
enter the egg and
fuse with the female
nucleus – this is
known as fertilisation.
 Fertilisation

After fertilisation has

occurred, the egg
divides repeatedly
into a ball of cells
which moves down
the oviduct to the
uterus. It now sinks
into the soft lining of
the uterus and
becomes implanted.
The woman is now
www.patient.co.uk
pregnant.
 Content

Lesson 2 Humans
3.8 describe the structure and explain
the function of the male and female
a) Reproduction reproductive systems
– Humans 3.9 understand the roles of oestrogen
and progesterone in the menstrual
cycle
3.10 describe the role of the
placenta in the nutrition of the
developing embryo
3.11 understand how the
developing embryo is protected
by amniotic fluid
3.12 understand the roles of
oestrogen and testosterone in the
development of secondary sexual
characteristics
 Content

Lesson 2 Humans
3.8 describe the structure and explain
the function of the male and female
a) Reproduction reproductive systems
– Humans 3.9 understand the roles of oestrogen
and progesterone in the menstrual
cycle
3.10 describe the role of the
placenta in the nutrition of the
developing embryo
3.11 understand how the
developing embryo is protected
by amniotic fluid
3.12 understand the roles of
oestrogen and testosterone in the
development of secondary sexual
characteristics
“Approximately once a month
from puberty to the
menopause, the human
female experiences a
menstrual cycle. This is part
of a cycle of events which
occurs inside her body”
The Menstrual Cycle
The Menstrual Cycle
The Menstrual Cycle

The cycle starts with

menstruation. During this time
the uterus lining breaks down
and passes out through the
vagina. This is known as
menstrual bleeding, or having a
‘period’.
The Menstrual Cycle
The Menstrual Cycle

Thousands of immature eggs

are present in the ovaries.
Following menstruation, one
develops within a protective
structure called the Graafian
follicle. Development takes
about 14 days.
The Menstrual Cycle
The Menstrual Cycle

After about 14 days the follicle

moves to the edge of the ovary
and the mature egg pops out
into the oviduct. This process is
called ovulation.
The Menstrual Cycle
The Menstrual Cycle

During the time the lining of the

uterus has been thickening, with
many blood vessels. If the egg
has been fertilised then it will
become embedded in the lining
and the pregnancy will
continue. If not, then
menstruation occurs ….
The Menstrual Cycle

The whole menstrual cycle is

controlled by hormones (special
chemical messengers in the
blood).
The Menstrual Cycle

The pituitary gland, at the

base of the brain, releases a
hormone (FSH, or follicle
stimulating hormone), which
causes the follicle to develop in
the ovary.
The Menstrual Cycle

The ovary produces oestrogen

which causes the lining of the
uterus to re-build after
menstruation.
The Menstrual Cycle

At the time of ovulation the

ovary produces another
hormone, progesterone, which
causes the uterus to become
thicker and full of blood vessels.
The Menstrual Cycle

If the egg is not fertilised then

production of the two hormones
stops, and menstruation
continues.
The Menstrual Cycle

If the woman becomes pregnant

then the ovary continues to
produce progesterone and the
lining remains intact and builds
up further. The periods will stop
during pregnancy.
 Content

Lesson 2 Humans
3.8 describe the structure and explain
the function of the male and female
a) Reproduction reproductive systems
– Humans 3.9 understand the roles of oestrogen
and progesterone in the menstrual
cycle
3.10 describe the role of the
placenta in the nutrition of the
developing embryo
3.11 understand how the
developing embryo is protected
by amniotic fluid
3.12 understand the roles of
oestrogen and testosterone in the
development of secondary sexual
characteristics
 Pregnancy

Placenta
Umbilical
cord

Amniotic sac
Amnion
Foetus
Pregnancy
Search ……. “What is
the amnion and the
amniotic cavity
(sac)?”
Pregnancy
The amnion is a thin
membrane that
surrounds the
developing embryo.
Pregnancy
The membrane
encloses a cavity
called the amniotic
cavity, filled with a
watery amniotic fluid.
Pregnancy
The amniotic fluid
protects the foetus
from bumping and
damage as the
mother moves
around
Pregnancy
Search ……. “How is
the foetus kept
alive?”
Pregnancy
Search …….
“How is the
foetus kept
alive?”
Pregnancy
Search …….
“How is the
foetus kept
alive?”

The foetus is
connected to the
placenta by the
umbilical cord.
 Pregnancy
Search …….
“How is the
foetus kept
alive?”

The umbilical cord

brings to the foetus
oxygen and food, and
takes away carbon
dioxide and waste.
Pregnancy
The placenta is attached
to the lining of the uterus.
It has numerous finger-like
projections called villi.
 Pregnancy
The placenta is attached
to the lining of the uterus.
It has numerous finger-like
projections called villi.

Blood space
Placent Capillary in
a villus
Umbilical Umbilical
artery vein
Foetu
s
 Pregnancy
The foetus’s blood and the mother’s blood
never mix. Instead, they come very close,
and are separated by a very thin membrane.
At birth, the placenta is delivered shortly
after the baby.

Blood space
Placent Capillary in
a villus
Umbilical Umbilical
artery vein
Foetu
s
 Pregnancy

After about nine

months the uterus
(womb) will undergo
contractions. This is
called labour. The
amniotic sac will
become ruptured
(breaking of the
waters) and shortly
afterwards the baby
will be born.
 Content

Lesson 2 Humans
3.8 describe the structure and explain
the function of the male and female
a) Reproduction reproductive systems
– Humans 3.9 understand the roles of oestrogen
and progesterone in the menstrual
cycle
3.10 describe the role of the
placenta in the nutrition of the
developing embryo
3.11 understand how the
developing embryo is protected
by amniotic fluid
3.12 understand the roles of
oestrogen and testosterone in the
development of secondary sexual
characteristics
 Summary of sexual
development
MALE FEMALE
Testes have descended into Ovaries containing immature eggs
AT BIRTH scrotal sac but they do not make present in abdomen but they do
sperms yet not produce eggs yet
PITUITARY GLAND PITUITARY GLAND
12-14 Gonad-stimulating hormones Gonad-stimulating hormones
years
Testes Ovaries
PUBERTY
Male sex hormones Female sex hormones
(androgens) (oestrogens)

Testes start producing Ovaries start producing eggs.

sperms. Secondary sexual Secondary sexual
characteristics, eg growth of characteristics, eg. growth of
body hair, breaking of voice breasts, fat in thighs

45-50 MENOPAUSE
Ovaries stop producing eggs

70-75 Testes stop making sperms

Secondary sexual characteristics
MALE FEMALE
PITUITARY GLAND PITUITARY GLAND
12-14 Gonad-stimulating hormones Gonad-stimulating hormones
years
Testes Ovaries
PUBERTY
Male sex hormones - Female sex hormones
testosterone oestrogens

Testes start producing Ovaries start producing eggs.

sperms. Periods begin.
Pubic hair develops in the Pubic hair develops in the
genital region. genital region.
Penis gets larger. Breasts develop
Voice breaks. Fat laid down in the thighs.
More muscular
Hair starts growing on the
legs, chest and face.
 Reproduction in Humans
3.8 describe the structure and explain the
function of the male and female
reproductive systems
3.9 understand the roles of oestrogen and
progesterone in the menstrual cycle

3.10 describe the role of the placenta

in the nutrition of the developing
embryo

3.11 understand how the developing

embryo is protected by amniotic fluid

3.12 understand the roles of oestrogen and

testosterone in the development of
secondary sexual characteristics
 End of Section 3 Lesson 2

In this lesson we have covered:

Human gametes (sex cells)

Male and female reproductive systems

Intercourse and fertilisation

The Menstrual Cycle

Pregnancy